How to Finish Your First Year of Grad School

1. Have your amazing roommate and friends throw a lovely birthday surprise day for you.

2. Put on a kick-awesome 4th of July party to show your European classmates how Americans celebrate freedom.

3. Perform your end of year show (which just happens to be an all-female Shakespeare comedy that you play accordion in) at the Cockpit in the heart of London.

4. Somehow say goodbye for the summer to these amazing, beautiful, talented, lovely people you get to call peers.

My first few days back in Texas have been extra sweet, but (as you can see from above) I was well-prepared for this homecoming. 

To summer and London and East 15 and Texas,